ADOPT farmer-led innovation fund launching
From 28 April 2025, farmers, growers, and foresters in England can apply for ADOPT funding to help trial and test practical solutions to real on-farm challenges, with fully funded, free support from the ADOPT Support Hub.
The ADOPT Fund – funded by Defra and delivered by Innovate UK – is designed to back farmer-led innovation. Whether it’s trialling a new technology or testing a change in practice, ADOPT offers the funding and support to make it happen.
What’s on offer?
There are two types of grant available:
- Support grants (up to £2,500): These help applicants explore their idea and work with a project facilitator to shape a strong proposal.
- Full grants (up to £100,000): To support farmer-led, collaborative research and innovation projects over 6 months to 24 months.
Why this matters
The ADOPT Fund is different from previous innovation funding. It’s farmer-led, but collaborative – bringing in others like advisers, researchers, tech providers and other like-minded farmers to help turn your idea into something ready to be adopted more widely in the agricultural community.
It’s also focused on practical impact, not just theory. That means funding is aimed at real-world challenges, everyday technology, practices, and ideas that aren’t yet widely adopted but could make a difference.
You’re not expected to go it alone
You’re not expected to go it alone
We understand that most farmers haven’t applied for this kind of funding before. That’s why the ADOPT Support Hub is launching alongside the fund. The Support Hub is fully funded and free to use, providing you with the guidance, resources, and connections you need at every step.
The Support Hub can help you:
- Understand whether your idea fits the fund
- Connect with a project facilitator
- Refine your project concept
- Design a trial that works for your farm
- Navigate the application process
- Share your findings with other farmers
What is a project facilitator?
All projects applying for ADOPT competitions must include a Project Facilitator to support project delivery and management.
Project facilitators are independent experts who play a required and central role in all ADOPT-funded projects. They bring experience in farmer-led research, Innovate UK grant processes, and project management.
The ADOPT Support Hub can guide you on how to connect with a suitable registered facilitator – or help you understand how to work with someone you already know, as long as they meet the criteria.
For more information on how to become a project facilitator, visit the Facilitator FAQ’s on the Innovate UK Business Connect site.
Get involved
We’re actively encouraging applications from across the full spectrum of farming types, regions and communities. Whether you’re a grower, forester, livestock farmer, arable producer, or part of a local farming group – we want to hear your ideas, challenges and opportunities.
If you’ve got a hunch that something could be improved on-farm, this is your chance to try it with support.
- Check out the ADOPT Support Hub: Prepare your idea and get help before you apply when applications open 28 April 2025
- Join the ADOPT funding opportunity information webinar hosted by Innovate UK Business Connect on 30 April 2025
- View the Innovation Funding Service to locate and apply for the ADOPT competitions. Just search “ADOPT” and the live ADOPT competitions will come up.